Flash

A couple more for the list... 1972 Munich Olympics (11 Israeli athletes and coaches killed). Pete Rose gambling scandal.

Priority order of targets for me: One or more can be solved through FA but I am valueing positional versatility and have a belief that Sheets and Vaughn will both play pivial roles next year and beyond. I would be all over Diamondbacks GM, Hazan about Marte as well as several others on their roster (i.e Varsho) and wouldn't hesitate to give up one of our core for the right deal. 1) K. Marte (SH 2B who can also play OF) 2) C. Taylor (can play 2B and/or OF) 3) TOR/MOR pitcher 4) Conforto 5) BP

Very well thought through. Can quibble re: Q and Leury but definitely agree on the Martes.

Am a Conforto fan and love Marte. Let's get em both. Of course any team would want Scherzer but at $40/3 I can't see it UNLESS, we can rationalize the positive impact he will have on the younger pitchers. Is he known for mentoring younger pitchers or mostly just for being an individual contributor?

Cy Young winners announced tonight. Any predictions? Here's one from 4 mos. prior to the start of last season. On 1/19/2021 at 9:33 PM, Chicago White Sox said: Thanks CWS. Thats exactly what I'm saying lest there be any confusion.

Depends on # of years.

Free Agent Target: Chris Taylor...for '21, 48 starts in center field, 33 at second base, 19 at shortstop, 16 in left, and nine at third. It could be we don't sign a corner OF'er AND 2B. Taylor provides the versatility to fill in where needed. Not left handed but extremally versatile and productive. FG suggests 4yrs/$60M should do the trick.

Yep. Agree with your assessment. Would prefer not taking on Moose' contract but guessing that would be the motivating factor for Reds to consider moving Castillo (although rumor mill is alive with Castillo trade talk) and for me, Winker over Jimenez is an easy one, their relative defensive shortcomings notwithstanding.

Sox lack realistic, high-value trade assets (Vaughn, Crochet, Jimenez, ?). Could use 2B, LH corner bat, rotation help. Reds make for an interesting one-stop trade partner...Castillo, Winker and Moustakas (w/2 more years of expensive contract). Sox take on Moustakas' deal plus Jimenez, Crochet and a couple minor league assets and solve for LH corner bat (Winker), elite rotation help (Castillo) and, if Moose still has anything left, LH hitting 2B. Of course payroll would increase $25M plus but who's counting?

I could see a combo platter of Sox assets led by Crochet being of interest to D-backs in exchange for Marte although my guess is if put to bid, we would come up short. Its highly unlikely they would trade Varsho unless overwhelmed by value. I mention him only because I am trying to 'talk it into happening.' I would also posit another potential trade target that, while less a fit but much more doable is Ian Happ (SH, versatile defender, 25 HRs in '21).

Gotcha. I look at the fact that Varsho is under cheap control as a secondary benefit to his potential roster impact. For me, he would be the perfect addition but as I said earlier, I can't envision a talent package that would get D-backs excited, let alone adding Marte.

When you say 'cost of talent' are you referring to the players we would have to send? Are you suggesting that the aforementioned players have more combined talent than Marte and Varsho or less control?

Such a trade would require parting with a significant haul, the likes of which I don't believe we could pull off. D-backs unlikely to assign much value to Eloy and Vaughn is someone we should try to retain (although I would include him if absolutely necessary). Guessing D-backs would want young, controllable players such as Crochet, Kelley, Burger, Collins although those 4 wouldn't be nearly enough. I agree we should pursue Marte but, to me, Varsho is the better fit if I had to choose because of his handedness and defensive versatility. He is an immediate upgrade at catcher (frees up Grandal to DH) and provides a primary option for either corner OF spot and backup to Robert in CF.

Varsho is 25 and under control for another 5 yrs. I doubt we will develop better internal options. For me he checks all the boxes, especially with his catching ability but he won't come cheaply.

Just one mans opinion but Sox should do business with the Diamondbacks. As I've commented in previous posts, I'd keep our free agent powder focused on pitching and target Ketel Marte and Daulton Varsho through trade. Varsho can catch and play all 3 OF position well, not to mention tons of power from the left side of the plate. It might be the Sox don't have the trade chits to turn a deal for both but I'd be willing to part with all but all but a limited few if we could somehow pull it off.

You might not re-litigate Vaughn vs. Eloy but Eloy is scheduled to make @11M/yr over next 3 years w/team options for 2 more at @35M. Vaughn <5M over next 5 yrs. Vaughn has significantly greater trade value than Eloy.

Good point although it doesn't rule out trading for guys with 1 year left. Didi and Gallo come to mind.

Guessing the list of LH/SH hitting 2nd basemen who might be available is pretty short.

Yep. Productive player coming off a decent year. RH hitter though, if that matters.

One way to look at it. Another might be Didi fills several needs, whereas Kimbrel is redundant. Curious who you think Kimbrel would bring back in trade, assuming he is moveable. Either way, its unlikely we free up his salary w/o taking on a similar contract(s) or paying a portion of his.

W/o scrolling through previous posts, to see if already mentioned (sorry if redundant) but guessing Philly would listen to offers for Didi. They have several highly-rated high minors guys ready to take over SS and can really use a stopper, i.e Kimbrel. The money is substantially similar and both have 1 year left. Didi had a tough year in '20 but he is athletic, can likely play 2nd and provide positional flexibility to spell TA (and possibly corner OF). He's LH and in the past has hit for power. He's a pro, can work counts and has an idea what he wants to do when he's at the plate. To me, he seems like a viable trade target, especially if we shed Kimbrels $16M to do so.

How about Keuchel and Kimbrel for Cano?

I don't disagree. But the pu pu platter of young talent I mentioned plus maybe pieces I'm not aware of might get the conversation started. I believe Marte will get moved this offseason and I also believe Varsho would be ideal in WS uniform. Where there's a will.....

Eloys only 24. Marte is 28.

Have convinced myself the Diamondbacks are ideal trade partner and Daulton Varsho and Ketel Marte are the ideal targets. Varsho, 5 yrs of arb control and Marte 3 more years of control beginning at $8M for '22. D-backs are years away from challenging and would really benefit from influx of young talent. I'd dangle Eloy, Crochet, Collins, Sheets and be prepared to throw in Lopez, Burger and or Kelley. Varsho provides LH power and strong defense as catcher or any OF position and Marte is the perfect IF addition and middle of the order bat. I'd also be in discussion with the Phils about Gregorious. They might be very willing to offload his $14M salary in exchange for a closer like Kimbrel. Am guessing Didi and his LH power could seamlessly slide to 2B, at least through '22.